Three days of convention-atmosphere fun and intense competition came to a close tonight as “Princeton University A” won its sixth and final round against the only other 5-0 team, Knightmare III, to bag a perfect score and take clear first at the “World Amateur Team Championship.” Also known as the U.S. Amateur Team, the granddaddy of all American team events beckoned 281 teams and 1,201 players to Parsippany, New Jersey. Princeton’s top squad ranked only 19th at the start of the event, but the top 25 entrants were bunched within 20 points of the maximum team average of 2199.

In this crucial and tense last-round confrontation of the two leaders, human error factored big-time. With the team score at 2-1 in favor of Princeton and only the second board still in play, the two opposing masters stunned onlookers with their 30th moves. White counted on a cross-pin tactic to allow him to expose his queen to attack. But had Black seen the simple 30. … Rxe5, the two teams would have finished with equal scores of 5.5-5.5!

Round 5 saw an unusual game against two masters on their teams’ top board. By the way, “Rg3 Offensive Rook of the Year,” a reference to Robert Griffin, III, taking football’s rookie of the year, won best team name. As always that choice was made by “applause meter.” The crowd decides!

Best Gimmick was won by “Knights of the Roman Forum,” whose legionnaire costumes and witty takeoff on Russell Crowe’s pre-battle address to his troops in the film “Gladiator” left little doubt among the 1,000 or so voters.

Organizer Steve Doyle and Chief TD Carol Jarecki did their annually spectacular job of setting an impossible standard for fun and competition. Doyle’s inimitable emceeing style, as he gives away door prizes and friendly barbs at a rapid pace, keeps the crowd relaxed before their big games. NTDs Steve Immit and Sophia Rohde helped keep the 1200-player tournament under control without quashing the good time. It was Steve Doyle's 40th anniversary at the team and Carol's 35th. We also celebrated the remarkable achievement of Steve Immit's 25 years of weekly Manhattan tournaments.